Is the title race over? Last night Real Madrid took a huge step towards winning the title as Barcelona dropped points away at Villarreal.
Real Madrid did their bit by beating Real Zaragoza. Things for the 3rd game at the Bernabeu in a row didn't get off to a good start as Ángel Lafita put the visitors ahead. Real though re-grouped and Kaká levelled twenty minutes later. The blistering start to the 2nd half saw goals from Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo which killed off Zaragoza.
That pushed the pressure on top of Barcelona. It ended up as a very disappointing 0-0 draw as Villarreal defended stoutly. The result means Real are now 7 points clear with 18 games remaining. Villarreal on the other hand got a good point to help ease their relegation fears but will be encouraged by the performance last night. Diego López made an outstanding save late on to deny Barcelona and that will stand them well for the rest of the season.
Earlier on Saturday saw Espanyol claim three points at home to Real Mallorca. The game's only goal came form Vladimir Weiss while the visitors had Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aoute sent off on half-time. The reuslt sees Espanyol rise to 5th while Mallorca are now just two points off the drop zone.
Athletic Bilbao won in a great game at the Terasa Riveiro as Fernando Llorente hit a hat-trick. Rayo were unlucky not to get a draw but they simply couldn't handle Llorente. Both Michu and Alejandro Arribas found a way past Gorka Iraizoz but ened up on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline. Bilbao now 6th while Rayo are 14th.
Saturday:
Espanyol 1-0 Real Mallorca
Rayo Vallecano 2-3 Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid 3-2 Real Zaragoza
Villarreal 0-0 Barcelona
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Round 20 Preview
Saturday:
The top 2 are in action on Saturday night as both sides face their first games since Wednesday's El Clásico. Real Madrid host bottom side Real Zaragoza at the Bernabeu in what should be three points for the whites. Barcelona though face Villarreal at El Madrigal with Villarreal appearing to be improving following their 3-0 win over Sporting Gijón on Monday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Espanyol face their first outing since their shock defeat to Mirandés as Real Mallorca visit the El Prat. Mallorca were also dumped out of the Copa del rey in mid-week.
Rayo Vallecano host Athletic Bilbao at the Terasa Riveiro. Athletic chasing Europe will need three points while Rayo could do with the points themselves to push further away from the drop zone.
Sunday:
The early game on Sunday sees Real Betis host Granada. Betis felt they dropped two points in last weekend's derby with Sevilla and so will be targeting three points against fellow Andalucians Granada.
Real Sociedad host Sporting Gijón with the basques looking to put right their awful result against Atlético last Saturday.
Getafe are away to high flyers Levante and despite their copa del rey exit Levante could be a decent bet for Europe this season.
Valencia aim to get back to winning ways in La Liga with three points away to Racing Santander, a side they beat in the thrilling 4-3 back in August.
Sunday ends with another Andalucian derby as Málaga host Sevilla. Both sides have champions league very much on their minds and victory is a must for both.
Monday:
Osasuna play host to Atlético Madrid in Monday's only game. Atlético are in good form coming into this game but Osasuna are also flying high in the league.
Fixtures:
Saturday:
Espanyol v Real Mallorca (17:00)
Rayo Vallecano v Athletic Bilbao (17:00)
Real Madrid v Real Zaragoza (19:00)
Villarreal v Barcelona (21:00)
Sunday:
Real Betis v Granada (11:00)
Real Sociedad v Sporting Gijón (15:00)
Levante v Getafe (15:00)
Racing Santander v Valencia (17:00)
Málaga v Sevilla (20:30)
Monday:
Osasuna v Atlético Madrid (20:00)
The top 2 are in action on Saturday night as both sides face their first games since Wednesday's El Clásico. Real Madrid host bottom side Real Zaragoza at the Bernabeu in what should be three points for the whites. Barcelona though face Villarreal at El Madrigal with Villarreal appearing to be improving following their 3-0 win over Sporting Gijón on Monday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Espanyol face their first outing since their shock defeat to Mirandés as Real Mallorca visit the El Prat. Mallorca were also dumped out of the Copa del rey in mid-week.
Rayo Vallecano host Athletic Bilbao at the Terasa Riveiro. Athletic chasing Europe will need three points while Rayo could do with the points themselves to push further away from the drop zone.
Sunday:
The early game on Sunday sees Real Betis host Granada. Betis felt they dropped two points in last weekend's derby with Sevilla and so will be targeting three points against fellow Andalucians Granada.
Real Sociedad host Sporting Gijón with the basques looking to put right their awful result against Atlético last Saturday.
Getafe are away to high flyers Levante and despite their copa del rey exit Levante could be a decent bet for Europe this season.
Valencia aim to get back to winning ways in La Liga with three points away to Racing Santander, a side they beat in the thrilling 4-3 back in August.
Sunday ends with another Andalucian derby as Málaga host Sevilla. Both sides have champions league very much on their minds and victory is a must for both.
Monday:
Osasuna play host to Atlético Madrid in Monday's only game. Atlético are in good form coming into this game but Osasuna are also flying high in the league.
Fixtures:
Saturday:
Espanyol v Real Mallorca (17:00)
Rayo Vallecano v Athletic Bilbao (17:00)
Real Madrid v Real Zaragoza (19:00)
Villarreal v Barcelona (21:00)
Sunday:
Real Betis v Granada (11:00)
Real Sociedad v Sporting Gijón (15:00)
Levante v Getafe (15:00)
Racing Santander v Valencia (17:00)
Málaga v Sevilla (20:30)
Monday:
Osasuna v Atlético Madrid (20:00)
Friday, January 27, 2012
Copa Del Rey Quarter-finals 2nd legs
Tuesday:
Mirandés produced another shock as they beat Espanyol 2-1 courtosy of an injury-time header from Cesar Caneda. Espanyol had taken an early 2nd half lead through an own goal from Aritz Mújika. However Mirandés played well on the night and were level when a thunderous shot from Banker Pablo flew past Casilla in the Espanyol goal. Mirandés held out for a fantastic victory where they will play Athletic Bilbao in the semis.
Wednesday:
Athletic Bilbao safely made it to the semi-finals as they somehow won by just the 1-0 scoreline. The only goal of the game goes down as an own goal from Ramis but goalkeeper Juan Calatayud allowed the back-pass to roll into the net and end Mallorca's interest in the Copa Del rey this season. To compound misery defender Chico was sent-off late on.
The clasico was surrounded by the rumours of José Mourinho leaving Real Madrid in the summer and the knives would have stayed well away if Real Madrid had been more clinical in a first half that saw Real on top chances wise. Gonzalo Higuaín spurrned a chance after 11 seconds before José Pinto pulled out a great save to deny a point blank header before further chances were not converted. Barcelona took time to get into their stride and despite Andrés Iniesta going off injured it was Barca who struck first when his replacement Pedro scored. Dani Alves scored a screamer past Iker Casillas on half-time which looked to have killed off Real.
However Cristiano Ronaldo rounded Pinto to pull a goal back before Karim Benzema's instinctive finish pulled the game back to 2-2. Sergio Ramos had a good goal chalked off earlier in the 2nd half and he was later sent-off after a collision with Sergio Busquets. Barca held on to qualify for the semis.
Thursday:
Valencia were relavitively unchallenged as they advanced to the last 4 after a 3-0 win on Thursday night over Levante. Aritz Aduriz gave Los Che the lead before a Pablo Piatti double secured a 7-1 win in the tie and 3-0 win on the night.
Mirandés produced another shock as they beat Espanyol 2-1 courtosy of an injury-time header from Cesar Caneda. Espanyol had taken an early 2nd half lead through an own goal from Aritz Mújika. However Mirandés played well on the night and were level when a thunderous shot from Banker Pablo flew past Casilla in the Espanyol goal. Mirandés held out for a fantastic victory where they will play Athletic Bilbao in the semis.
Wednesday:
Athletic Bilbao safely made it to the semi-finals as they somehow won by just the 1-0 scoreline. The only goal of the game goes down as an own goal from Ramis but goalkeeper Juan Calatayud allowed the back-pass to roll into the net and end Mallorca's interest in the Copa Del rey this season. To compound misery defender Chico was sent-off late on.
The clasico was surrounded by the rumours of José Mourinho leaving Real Madrid in the summer and the knives would have stayed well away if Real Madrid had been more clinical in a first half that saw Real on top chances wise. Gonzalo Higuaín spurrned a chance after 11 seconds before José Pinto pulled out a great save to deny a point blank header before further chances were not converted. Barcelona took time to get into their stride and despite Andrés Iniesta going off injured it was Barca who struck first when his replacement Pedro scored. Dani Alves scored a screamer past Iker Casillas on half-time which looked to have killed off Real.
However Cristiano Ronaldo rounded Pinto to pull a goal back before Karim Benzema's instinctive finish pulled the game back to 2-2. Sergio Ramos had a good goal chalked off earlier in the 2nd half and he was later sent-off after a collision with Sergio Busquets. Barca held on to qualify for the semis.
Thursday:
Valencia were relavitively unchallenged as they advanced to the last 4 after a 3-0 win on Thursday night over Levante. Aritz Aduriz gave Los Che the lead before a Pablo Piatti double secured a 7-1 win in the tie and 3-0 win on the night.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Round 19
Round 19 was a routine round for both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both sides won 4-1 and the gap of five points between the sides maintained. Real Madrid were not at their best Sunday night and on another night Bilbao may have converted some of the other chances they created in the first half to go 2-0 up. Fernando Llorente wasn't clinical enough to give Madrid a major scare of being 2-0 down but he took his goal very well. Muniain played well throughout and Marcelo Bielsa's side can count themselves unlucky on Sunday. Real got the job done with two penalties from Ronaldo and it was great to see José Callejon got another goal. Callejon is turning out to be a fantastic addition to the squad in terms of important goals and Madrid will need that kind of touch on Wednesday in the clash with Barcelona.
Barcelona themselves were relatively untroubled by a disappointing Málaga side who are now under pressure. Manuel Pellegrini has his work cut out to secure European qualification. Lionel Messi took his hat-trick well and Barcelona deserved their victory although not close to their best performance. They are favourites to go through to the copa del rey semis on Wednesday but they warmed up in good style.
Valencia will be very disappointed with their result against Osasuna. They almost stole three points but lack of concentration resulted in two points very much dropped. Valencia have hit a bad spell at a crucial time in the season. They were just four points behind Barcelona two weeks ago but are now nine points behind. Roberto Soldado grabbing another goal though will remain a positive for Unai Emery as he prepares for the derby against Levante in mid-week.
Elswhere the troubles continue for Zaragoza. They got a point away to Levante which is no mean feat but Zaragoza need alot more than just draws if they are to save themselves this season. They lacked cutting edge up front and Hélder Postiga is struggling in the lone striker role. Manolo Jiménez' badly need to get their first victory since November and quick. Things don't get any easier however for Zaragoza as they go to the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Atlético Madrid are on the up once more. The appointment of Diego Simeone as replacement for Gregorio Manzano has seen Atlético take seven points from the last nine and Saturday's 4-0 win away to Real Sociedad was particularly impressive. Falcao got a stunning hat-trick and Atlético were victorious on the road for the first time this season. They are now right back in this European chase and could be a sneaky bet for a champions league spot on current form.
Barcelona themselves were relatively untroubled by a disappointing Málaga side who are now under pressure. Manuel Pellegrini has his work cut out to secure European qualification. Lionel Messi took his hat-trick well and Barcelona deserved their victory although not close to their best performance. They are favourites to go through to the copa del rey semis on Wednesday but they warmed up in good style.
Valencia will be very disappointed with their result against Osasuna. They almost stole three points but lack of concentration resulted in two points very much dropped. Valencia have hit a bad spell at a crucial time in the season. They were just four points behind Barcelona two weeks ago but are now nine points behind. Roberto Soldado grabbing another goal though will remain a positive for Unai Emery as he prepares for the derby against Levante in mid-week.
Elswhere the troubles continue for Zaragoza. They got a point away to Levante which is no mean feat but Zaragoza need alot more than just draws if they are to save themselves this season. They lacked cutting edge up front and Hélder Postiga is struggling in the lone striker role. Manolo Jiménez' badly need to get their first victory since November and quick. Things don't get any easier however for Zaragoza as they go to the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Atlético Madrid are on the up once more. The appointment of Diego Simeone as replacement for Gregorio Manzano has seen Atlético take seven points from the last nine and Saturday's 4-0 win away to Real Sociedad was particularly impressive. Falcao got a stunning hat-trick and Atlético were victorious on the road for the first time this season. They are now right back in this European chase and could be a sneaky bet for a champions league spot on current form.
La Liga round 19 Monday
Just the one game last night and it was a good result for struggling Villarreal. Villarreal went into the game in the relegation zone and were desperate to put that right against fellow strugglers Sporting Gijón. A tight first half was forgotten about when Marco Rubén put the Yellow Submarine in front before Borja Valero doubled the lead two minutes later. Bruno Soriano made the points well and truely safe with a 3rd in stoppage time to condemn Gijón to 19th place at the end of play.
Villarreal out of the bottom three and now face the task of dealing with Barcelona on Saturday night. Gijón are off to San Sebastian to play Real Sociedad.
Monday January 23rd
Villarreal 3-0 Sporting Gijón
Villarreal out of the bottom three and now face the task of dealing with Barcelona on Saturday night. Gijón are off to San Sebastian to play Real Sociedad.
Monday January 23rd
Villarreal 3-0 Sporting Gijón
Monday, January 23, 2012
La Liga round 19 Sunday
Valencia were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw away in Pamplona against Osasuna. The three points looked as if they were going to Valencia when Roberto Soldado struck with five minutes left. However Lolo levelled in added time and to rub salt into the wounds David Albelda was given his marching orders as a result. Valencia remain 3rd but are nine points off Barcelona.
Real Mallorca responded to their copa del rey mid-week defeat by claiming a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Terasa Riveiro. The goal came from defender Iván Ramis, a goal which lifts Mallorca to 14th.
The big game of the day was down on the costa del sol as Málaga hosted Barcelona. The game was tight enough until Barcelona found the breakthrough goal on 34 minutes with Lionel Messi striking. Chilean Aléxis Sánchez made it 2-0 just after the break before Messi got his 2nd just minutes later. Messi completed a fantastic hat-trick with ten minutes left which meant Rondón's late goal for Málaga was nothing more than consolation.
Levante missed the chance to close the gap on Valencia as bottom side Real Zaragoza held them to a 0-0 draw. Levante stay 4th but four points behind rivals Valencia in 3rd while Zaragoza remain bottom.
Sunday's late game saw Athletic Bilbao travel south to Real Madrid looking to extend their unbeaten run and close in on the champions league spots. They took and early lead through Fernando Llorente but Real were soon back on level terms as Marcelo found a gap in the heart of the Bilbao defense. A penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo just after the break gave Real the lead and when Óscar De Marcos was sent-off, Ronaldo converted another penalty to effectively seal the game. José Callejon came off the bench to grab another goal for himself to make it 4-1.
Sunday January 22nd:
Osasuna 1-1 Valencia
Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Real Mallorca
Málaga 1-4 Barcelona
Levante 0-0 Real Zaragoza
Real Madrid 4-1 Athletic Bilbao
Real Mallorca responded to their copa del rey mid-week defeat by claiming a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Terasa Riveiro. The goal came from defender Iván Ramis, a goal which lifts Mallorca to 14th.
The big game of the day was down on the costa del sol as Málaga hosted Barcelona. The game was tight enough until Barcelona found the breakthrough goal on 34 minutes with Lionel Messi striking. Chilean Aléxis Sánchez made it 2-0 just after the break before Messi got his 2nd just minutes later. Messi completed a fantastic hat-trick with ten minutes left which meant Rondón's late goal for Málaga was nothing more than consolation.
Levante missed the chance to close the gap on Valencia as bottom side Real Zaragoza held them to a 0-0 draw. Levante stay 4th but four points behind rivals Valencia in 3rd while Zaragoza remain bottom.
Sunday's late game saw Athletic Bilbao travel south to Real Madrid looking to extend their unbeaten run and close in on the champions league spots. They took and early lead through Fernando Llorente but Real were soon back on level terms as Marcelo found a gap in the heart of the Bilbao defense. A penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo just after the break gave Real the lead and when Óscar De Marcos was sent-off, Ronaldo converted another penalty to effectively seal the game. José Callejon came off the bench to grab another goal for himself to make it 4-1.
Sunday January 22nd:
Osasuna 1-1 Valencia
Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Real Mallorca
Málaga 1-4 Barcelona
Levante 0-0 Real Zaragoza
Real Madrid 4-1 Athletic Bilbao
Sunday, January 22, 2012
La Liga round 19 Saturday
Saturday night was all about the Sevilla derby as both Real Betis and Sevilla squared up at the Estádio Benito Villamarín. As expected the ocasion was massive as both sides played a storming first half in which Benat gave Betis the lead with a peach of a free-kick. However Sevilla, not to be undone were level before the break when Álvaro Negredo headed past Casto to draw the visitors level.
Federico Fazio was shown a straight red when taking down Roque Santa Cruz and despite all Betis pressure in the final 20 minutes Sevilla hung on for a valuable point.
Elsewhere on Saturday Atlético Madrid travelled north to San Sebastian to face a rejuvenated Real Sociedad. The Basques had beaten Valencia away in their last game. However thing started to go pear shaped as early as the 2nd minute when Falcao converted a penalty before he added his 2nd with Adrián also scoring before the Colombian completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to see Atlético off to a 4-0 win.
Earlier on Saturday Racing Santander fell to another defeat at home this time to Getafe. Uruguayan Cristian Stuani gave the hosts the lead before Getafe fought back with goals from Jaime Gavilian and Nicolás Fedor.
Espanyol were also victorious beating Granada 3-0 with their goals coming from José Baena, a Verdú penalty and Rui Fonte.
Saturday 21st January:
Racing Santander 1-2 Getafe
Espanyol 3-0 Granada
Real Sociedad 0-4 Atlético Madrid
Real Betis 1-1 Sevilla
Federico Fazio was shown a straight red when taking down Roque Santa Cruz and despite all Betis pressure in the final 20 minutes Sevilla hung on for a valuable point.
Elsewhere on Saturday Atlético Madrid travelled north to San Sebastian to face a rejuvenated Real Sociedad. The Basques had beaten Valencia away in their last game. However thing started to go pear shaped as early as the 2nd minute when Falcao converted a penalty before he added his 2nd with Adrián also scoring before the Colombian completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to see Atlético off to a 4-0 win.
Earlier on Saturday Racing Santander fell to another defeat at home this time to Getafe. Uruguayan Cristian Stuani gave the hosts the lead before Getafe fought back with goals from Jaime Gavilian and Nicolás Fedor.
Espanyol were also victorious beating Granada 3-0 with their goals coming from José Baena, a Verdú penalty and Rui Fonte.
Saturday 21st January:
Racing Santander 1-2 Getafe
Espanyol 3-0 Granada
Real Sociedad 0-4 Atlético Madrid
Real Betis 1-1 Sevilla
Friday, January 13, 2012
La Liga Weekend 14th-16th January
After the big result of Espanyol pegging back Barcelona last Sunday night, the pressure is back on Real Madrid this Saturday as they face a Real Mallorca side that staged a remarkable copa del rey comeback against Real Sociedad mid-week.
Pressure will be on Real Madrid as they aim to increase their lead over the Blaugrana to eight points. Mallorca will be no pushovers though as they rallied together against Real Sociedad to progress to the last 8 of the Copa del rey.
Mallorca havent posted any injuries while for Real, Tuesday's nights goalscorer Karim Benzema is carring a light injury while Sami Khedira is definetly out.
Elsewhere Saturday sees Real Zaragoza host Getafe in a game that Manolo Jimenez is targeting three points to get his underachieving side up the table. Getafe also have aspirations for high league positions.
Granada host Rayo Vallecano in a game that is crucial for both the newly promoted sides this season. Rayo are on the back of an impressive victory over Sevilla last Sunday while Granada played well until falling 5-1 at Real Madrid.
Sevilla play host to Espanyol and with Sevilla out of the Copa del rey they have the league to focus on. Espanyol though will be up for the trip having drawn against Barca and progressed late against Ségunda side Córdoba mid-week.
Pressure will be on Real Madrid as they aim to increase their lead over the Blaugrana to eight points. Mallorca will be no pushovers though as they rallied together against Real Sociedad to progress to the last 8 of the Copa del rey.
Mallorca havent posted any injuries while for Real, Tuesday's nights goalscorer Karim Benzema is carring a light injury while Sami Khedira is definetly out.
Elsewhere Saturday sees Real Zaragoza host Getafe in a game that Manolo Jimenez is targeting three points to get his underachieving side up the table. Getafe also have aspirations for high league positions.
Granada host Rayo Vallecano in a game that is crucial for both the newly promoted sides this season. Rayo are on the back of an impressive victory over Sevilla last Sunday while Granada played well until falling 5-1 at Real Madrid.
Sevilla play host to Espanyol and with Sevilla out of the Copa del rey they have the league to focus on. Espanyol though will be up for the trip having drawn against Barca and progressed late against Ségunda side Córdoba mid-week.
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